Letters from Peru: Lima, the Gate of the Andes Where the Wind carries the Whispers of Ancestors…

My dear travelers and lovers of unusual journeys, welcome to the new series of travelogues on the Mr.M blog. May, as well as the following months, will be dedicated to one unusual continent – South America, I will show you the countries that I had the opportunity to visit and I am convinced that you will enjoy it and want to spend your vacation in one of the destinations. At the very beginning of today’s travelogue, where I will try to show you the capital of Peru – Lima, I would like to thank the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), local ministries of tourism, national tourism organizations, as well as other partners who selflessly supported my adventure in South America. With their help, travelogues from several countries were created, as well as numerous fashion stories that you will have the opportunity to read during this series of posts, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure.

Posts from Peru were created with the unselfish help of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), the Commission for Trade, Tourism and Investments of Peru (PROMPERU), the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru and the Swissotel Lima Hotel.

Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America. It is bordered to the north by Ecuador and Colombia, to the east by Brazil, to the southeast by Bolivia, to the south by Chile, and to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean. Peru is a megadiverse country, with habitats ranging from the arid plains of the Pacific coastal region in the west, to the peaks of the Andes that stretch from the north to the southeast of the country, to the tropical rainforest of the Amazon basin in the east with the Amazon River. Peru has over 32 million inhabitants, and its capital and largest city is Lima. With an area of ​​1,285,216 km², Peru is the 19th largest country in the world and the third largest in South America.

The Peruvian territory was home to several cultures during the ancient and medieval periods and has one of the longest histories of civilization of any country, tracing its heritage back to the 10th millennium BC, the Caral-Supa civilization, the earliest civilization in the Americas and considered one of the cradles of civilization. Notable subsequent cultures and civilizations include the Nazca culture, the Wari and Tiwanaku empires, the Kingdom of Cuzco, and the Inca Empire, the largest known state in pre-Columbian America. The Spanish Empire conquered the region in the 16th century, and Carlo V established a viceroyalty with the official name of the Kingdom of Peru that included most of its South American territories, with its capital at Lima. Higher education began in America with the official establishment of the National University of San Marcos in Lima in 1551.

Peru formally declared its independence from Spain in 1821, and after the military campaigns of Bernard O’Higgins, José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar, as well as the decisive Battle of Ayacucho, it ended its independence in 1824. In the following years, the country first suffered from political instability until a period of relative economic and political stability began due to guano exploitation that ended with the Pacific War. Throughout the 20th century, Peru struggled with political and social instability, including internal conflict between the state and guerrilla groups, punctuated by periods of economic growth. The implementation of Plan Verde moved Peru towards a neoliberal economy under the authoritarian rule of Alberto Fujimori and Vladimir Montesinos in the 1990s, with the former’s political ideology of Fujimorim leaving a lasting mark on the country’s governance that continues today. The 2000s marked economic expansion and poverty reduction, but the following decade revealed long-standing sociopolitical vulnerabilities, exacerbated by a political crisis caused by Congress and the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a period of unrest that began in 2022.

The sovereign state of Peru is a representative democratic republic divided into 25 regions. Its main economic activities include mining, manufacturing, agriculture and fishing, along with other growing sectors such as telecommunications and biotechnology. The country is part of the Pacific Cougars, a political and economic grouping of countries along the Pacific coast of Latin America that share common positive growth trends, stable macroeconomic fundamentals, improved governance and openness to global integration. Peru ranks high in social freedoms, is an active member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Pacific Alliance, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the World Trade Organization; and is considered a middle power.

The population of Peru includes mestizos, Indians, Europeans, Africans and Asians. The main spoken language is Spanish, although a significant number of Peruvians speak Quechua, Aymara or other indigenous languages. This mixture of cultural traditions has resulted in a wide variety of expression in areas such as art, cuisine, literature and music. Peru has recently gained international recognition for its vibrant gastronomy, mixing indigenous, Spanish, African and Asian influences. Lima is now considered a global culinary capital, home to award-winning restaurants such as Central and Maida.

How did Peru get its name? Some theories explain that the country’s name may come from the name Biru, the name of a local ruler who lived near San Miguel Bay, in Panama City, at the beginning of the 16th century. The Spanish conquistadors, who arrived in 1522, believed that this was the southernmost part of the New World. When Francisco Pizarro invaded the regions further south, they were called Biru or Peru.

An alternative theory is given by the contemporary Inca writer Garcilaso de la Vega, the son of an Inca princess and a conquistador. He said that the name Biru was the name of a common American Indian who happened to be encountered by the ship’s crew on a research mission for Governor Pedro Arias Dávila and went on to cite more cases of misunderstanding due to the lack of a common language.

The Spanish crown gave the name legal status with the Capitulation de Toledo of 1529, which designated the newly created Inca Empire as the province of Peru. In 1561, the rebel Lope de Aguirre declared himself the “prince” of independent Peru, which was ended by his arrest and execution. Under Spanish rule, the country adopted the name Viceroyalty of Peru, which became the Republic of Peru from independence until 1979, when it adopted its current name, the Republic of Peru.

Lima was founded in 1535 as Ciudad de los Reyes – Ciudad de los Reyes (Spanish name for “City of Kings”), it is also the capital and largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillon, Rimac and Lurin rivers, in the desert zone of the central coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The city is considered the political, cultural, financial and commercial center of Peru. Because of its geostrategic importance, the Globalization and World Cities Research Network has categorized it as a “beta” city. Jurisdictionally, the metropolis extends mainly within the province of Lima and in a smaller part, in the west, within the constitutional province of Callao, where the seaport and the Jorge Chavez airport are located. Both provinces have had regional autonomy since 2002.

According to the latest 2023 census report, the city of Lima has an estimated population of just over 10 million residents, making it the second most populous city in the Americas. Together with the coastal city of Callao, it forms the contiguous urban area known as the Metropolitan Area of ​​Lima, which includes a total of about 10,200,000 inhabitants. The city is characterized by severe urban segregation between poor pueblos jovenes, which are mostly inhabited by immigrants from the Andean highlands, and wealthy neighborhoods. Since 1985, barriers known as “walls of shame” have stretched across much of the city, separating wealthy areas from poor ones.

Lima takes its name from the natives of the agricultural region known among Peruvians as Limak. It became the capital and most important city in the Viceroyalty of Peru. After the Peruvian War of Independence, it became the capital of the Republic of Peru (República del Perú). About one-third of the national population now lives in its metropolitan area.

As the seat of the Andean Community, Lima plays a key role in regional diplomacy and trade integration. In October 2013, Lima was chosen to host the 2019 Pan American Games, the games were held at facilities in and around Lima and were the largest sporting event the country had ever hosted. The city will host them for the second time in 2027. It also hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings three times in 2008, 2016 and 2024; the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in October 2015, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2014 and the Miss Universe 1982 pageant.

How did this amazing city get its name? According to early Spanish articles, the area of ​​Lima was once called Ichima, after its original inhabitants. However, even before the Inca occupied the area in the 15th century, the famous oracle in the Rimac Valley became known to visitors as Limac (meaning “speaker” in the coastal Quechua language that was the primary language of the area before the arrival of the Spanish). This oracle was eventually destroyed by the Spanish and replaced by a church, but the name survived: chronicles show “Limak” replacing “Ichma” as the common name for the area.

Modern scholars speculate that the word “Lima” originates as a Spanish pronunciation of the native name Limak. Linguistic evidence seems to support this theory, as spoken Spanish consistently drops stop consonants at the end of words.

The city was founded in 1535 under the name City of Kings, because its foundation was decided on January 6, the day of the Epiphany. This name was quickly dropped, and Lima became the preferred name of the city, on the oldest Spanish maps of Peru, both Lima and Ciudad de los Reyes can be seen together. After José de San Martín arrived in Lima in 1821 during the Peruvian War of Independence, the city was awarded the title Heroica y Esforzada Ciudad de los Libres (“Heroic and Courageous City of the Free”) in September of that year.

The river that runs through Lima is called the Rimac and many people mistakenly assume that this is because its original Inca name was “Talking River”. However, the original inhabitants of the valley were not Incas. This name is an innovation that arose from the efforts of the Cuzco nobility in the colonial era to standardize the toponym to adapt to the phonology of the Cuzco Quechua language. Later, as the original inhabitants died out and the local Quechua language died out, the Cuscon pronunciation prevailed. Today, Spanish-speaking locals do not see the connection between the name of their city and the name of the river that flows through it. It is often assumed that the valley was named after the river, however, Spanish documents from the colonial period show otherwise.

What were my first impressions of Lima? Creating an image of this city begins long before the plane touches the runway of Jorge Chávez International Airport. Through the window of the plane, a beautiful endless urban tapestry of buildings, hills, highways and the ocean awaits you, obscured by an eternal gray haze. Even then you have the impression that you have arrived in Lima, a city of contrasts, history and life that takes place between the ocean and the Andes.

Lima is not what people from Europe and the world expect, and that’s exactly what makes it irresistible and unusual. At first glance, it may not look like a postcard: it has no lush vegetation like Cusco, no magical ruins like Machu Picchu. But Lima is the soul of Peru, the pulse of its contradictions, the link between past and present, colonial and modern, European and indigenous.

As I mentioned a little while ago, Lima has almost 10 million inhabitants, which makes it one of the largest cities in Latin America. But within that urban maze lie a multitude of micro-worlds: chic Miraflores, bohemian Barranco, the historic center with a Spanish colonial heart, chaotic Callao and more.

Lima was the administrative center of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru, one of the most important cities in colonial Latin America. In that period, famous buildings emerged, such as: Cathedral in Lima, Plaza Mayor, San Francisco Monastery. The city became a cultural and political epicenter, but also a symbol of Spanish domination over indigenous civilizations.

Today, Lima is a historical palimpsest map: one place with many layers. This is where governments, languages, religions, and identities come into contact. It’s no wonder that a walk in Lima can turn into an interesting journey through the ages.

Some of the neighborhoods that you must experience if you find yourself in the capital of Peru are:

Miraflores – the heart of modern tourism

A modern, elegant part of Lima with luxury hotels, shopping malls and promenades along the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Parks like Parque del Amor are perfect for sunsets, while Larcomar, a shopping center carved into the cliff, is a must-see for a coffee with a view.

Barranco – the artistic soul of Lima

A bohemian quarter full of murals, cafes, galleries and street musicians. Everything here is about freedom of expression and nostalgia. Don’t miss the Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs) – they say that if you make a wish while crossing the bridge in one breath, it will come true.

Centro Histórico – the heart of the colonial past

The cathedral, the Palacio de Gobierno, the Monastery of San Francisco with its underground catacombs – history is palpable here. Plaza Mayor is ideal for understanding how Spanish imperialism shaped urban space.

Callao – port and art

Once dangerous, today more and more attractive, Callao is transformed into a center of street art. Monumental Callao is a complex with galleries and exhibitions of contemporary art. Don’t miss the boat tour to Palomino Island, where you can swim next to the sea lions!

Lima is the undisputed gastronomic center of South America. Multiple award-winning restaurants such as Central, Maido and Astrid y Gastón are not only at the top of the world list, but also redefine the term “fine dining”. But the real charm lies in the simplicity:

• Ceviche – marinated fish in lime juice with onion, corn and sweet potato. It’s best to try it at La Mar cevicheria or a local “cevicheria” without the tourist hype.
• Lomo saltado – fusion of Chinese and Peruvian cuisine (chifa), beef with onions, tomatoes and soy, served with potatoes and rice.
• Anticuchos – grilled skewers, often of beef heart, with aji sauce.

For drinks, the Pisco Sour is a must – Peru’s national drink combining pisco (grape brandy), lime, egg whites and sugar syrup.

In Lima you will hear Castilian (Spanish), but also Quechua and Aymara in certain communities. Music comes from everywhere: Afro-Peruvian rhythms can be heard in Barranco, while the traditional huayno song can be heard in markets and on the radio. Lima is also a city of poets and painters. Mario Vargas Llosa is part of the Lima pantheon, as well as Chabuca Granda – the author of the cult song “La flor de la canela”. Visit the Casa de la Literatura Peruana and immerse yourself in the literary soul of the country.

Lima is more than the capital of Peru, it is a living monument of spirituality, art and history. A city where colonial bell towers rise above chaotic streets, and frescoes and icons tell stories of hundreds of years of faith, conflict and resistance. Here, between the smell of ceviche and the hum of motorbikes, stand magnificent churches that have shaped and preserved the soul of this city for centuries.

As the former heart of the Spanish Viceroyalty, Lima was the center of religion in Latin America. That’s why it’s no wonder that in its historical center there are dozens of churches, cathedrals and monasteries – many of them are 400-500 years old. But Limenas churches are not only religious buildings. They are cultural and architectural jewels, places of historical memory, artistic excellence and local identity. If you’re traveling to Lima, don’t see them just as a tourist obligation. Consider them as windows into the soul of the people and as places where the past is still present.

On the imposing Plaza Mayor, between the presidential palace and the city hall, rises the Cathedral of Lima, a symbol of Spanish power and religious influence. It was founded as early as 1535, and completed over the next 100 years. The cathedral was built on a site that the Incas considered sacred. The Spanish, as they often did, demolished the local temples and built a church as a symbol of the new rule and the new God.

Today, when you enter the interior, the first thing that hits you is the silence. High vaults, golden altars, baroque figures of saints and the sarcophagus of Francisco Pizarro himself, the founder of Lima, which rests right here. The cathedral is a true example of Spanish Baroque, but also of mestizo art – a style that combines European technique and local sensibility. You can recognize Andean motifs, colors and forms in the iconography.

The interior also includes the Religious Museum, which contains sacred objects from the 16th-18th centuries. century, manuscript documents, bibles, gold and wood carvings. You can get lost there for hours, especially if you like church art and history. What is interesting is that during the earthquake in 1746, the Cathedral was almost completely destroyed. Today’s appearance comes from the reconstruction that lasted for decades – Lima knows how to rise from the ruins.

About a ten minute walk from the Cathedral is perhaps the most famous religious building in Lima – the San Francisco Monastery. With its characteristic yellow walls and white details, this building is both enigmatic and enchanting.

What it is most famous for are the catacombs. Yes, real underground labyrinths under the church containing the bones of about 25,000 people! Although dark and somewhat spooky, the catacombs are a fascinating testimony to the colonial era, when rich and poor were buried in the same place, without distinction.

But the catacombs are only part of this monastery. The upper part of the church and monastery contains:

• A library with more than 25,000 ancient books, including the first Bibles printed in Latin America.
• Wall paintings depicting the Last Supper with guinea pigs instead of lamb, showing cultural fusion.
• An improvised museum section with colonial paintings, relics and carvings.

The San Francisco Monastery is still active today. Monks stay there, participate in prayers, and tourists can get an organized tour in Spanish and English. What I can advise you is to take the guides who often tell legends that are not part of the official history, listen to them carefully, they are parts of the magic of Lima. What is important to know is that photography is not allowed inside the catacombs.

A few minutes’ walk from the main square, hidden behind massive gates, is the Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo, another gem from the Spanish colonial era. This church is not only a religious place, it is a historical center of education and guardian of the saints.

The church of Santo Domingo is known as the home of the first universities in South America – the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, the continent’s oldest university, was founded right here in 1551.

But what most attracts believers and tourists are the relics of three great saints from Peru:

• Santa Rosa de Lima, patron saint of the city and Latin America.
• San Martín de Porres, America’s first black saint, known for his modesty and healing abilities.
• San Juan Macías, Dominican missionary.

The interior of the church is breathtaking: pink and blue tones dominate the space, while frescoes and golden altars tell the story of faith and hope. Around the church there is a cloister with a peaceful courtyard, decorated with azulejo tiles brought from Seville. My warm recommendation for all visitors is to go in and visit the Santa Rosa Chapel and watch the people leaving messages of thanks and prayers. That place has a special silence, the one brought by faith and hope.

Religion in Lima is not hidden in churches – it is a living part of everyday life. Peruvians do not live their religion formally, but it is deeply woven into their identity, language, customs and culture. The biggest religious event in Lima is undoubtedly the Señor de los Milagros (Lord of Miracles) procession, which takes place every year in October. This black image of Jesus, painted by an Angolan slave, is believed to have survived the devastating earthquakes – becoming a symbol of hope and faith.

During this manifestation, thousands of people in purple tunics take to the streets, sing hymns, pray and dance. It is not only a religious, but also a cultural spectacle, which connects all social strata. In addition to this holiday, there are also celebrations dedicated to saints such as Santa Rosa de Lima and San Martín de Porres, when the churches are full and the city smells of incense and fresh flowers.

What is interesting in Lima is the fact that you can often see small altars, crosses and pictures of saints in the squares, markets and in the shops themselves. It is not just a decoration, it is a daily protection and a reminder of the presence of the higher in what Peruvians believe.

When you find yourself in Lima, you feel that it is a city of contrasts: colonial history and modern glass buildings, the smell of street food and sumptuous restaurants with a Michelin star, noisy buses and quiet parks. And Miraflores is the place where all these worlds meet, and in style.

Miraflores is the most famous, most well-organized and most visited district of Lima, and for good reason. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific, Miraflores is the epicenter of culture, gastronomy, nightlife and shopping in this part of South America. Diplomats, artists, entrepreneurs live here, but also countless travelers who rent an apartment for a few days and want to experience the best of Lima.

Whether you’re interested in museums, archaeology, food, shopping, romance, or just a quiet walk by the ocean, Miraflores can offer you all that and more.

One of the first things you must do when you arrive in Miraflores is walk along the Malecón, a long promenade that stretches along the cliff above the ocean. This is one of the most beautiful urban promenades in Latin America, perfect for a morning run and sport with the waves of the Pacific, a simple walk with a morning coffee in hand or a sunset with a view you will remember for a lifetime.

One of the most photographed spots in Miraflores is this romantic park, known for its large sculpture of a couple in love (“El Beso”) and walls decorated with mosaics bearing verses from Spanish and Latin American poets. For the adventurous, paragliding from a cliff above the Pacific is an unforgettable experience. Take-off is organized from the Malecón, and the instructors are experienced and internationally certified. The flight lasts about 10 minutes, but the adrenaline you feel lasts much longer.

High on the cliff, where Miraflores meets the endless Pacific Ocean, stands El Faro de la Marina – a lighthouse that is not only a maritime landmark, but also a symbol of the place where the city and the ocean touch by sight. Although not open to the public from the inside, this iconographic lighthouse in Lima is one of the most popular places for walking, photography, meditation, romance and reflection.

For travelers looking for a peaceful yet inspiring place in the heart of urban Lima, the Miraflores Lighthouse is the perfect start or end to the day. But it is much more than that because the story of the lighthouse is the story of the sailors, the maritime history of Peru, the city’s architecture and the combination of natural beauty and human creation.

El Faro de la Marina was built in 1900, but has only been in place since 1973, when it was moved from the Punta Coles (Tacna) area and reconstructed on the Miraflores cliff, as part of the city’s waterfront development project. Today, this lighthouse no longer serves primarily as a signal light for ships, but as a cultural and tourist landmark.

It is 22 meters tall, painted navy blue with white stripes, and surrounded by a beautiful green park, walking paths and views of the endless Pacific horizon. The lighthouse is automated and still functions, but its true value is – symbolic. Built in honor of the Peruvian Navy, the lighthouse serves as a reminder of Peru’s rich maritime tradition, including the great historical conflicts, expeditions and discoveries that shaped the Latin American coastline.

If you are a big fan of shopping, gastronomy and designer brands like me, then you must not miss Larcomar, a unique shopping center that is partially buried in the cliff, with a panoramic view of the ocean.

In Larcomar, you can buy a wardrobe from famous brands such as Zara, Mango, Guess, North Face, find original Peruvian handicrafts and jewelry in numerous designer shops, enjoy a coffee or pisco sour with a view of the perfect sunset or even go to the cinema and watch a movie with Spanish subtitles, for a real local experience. Larcomar is the ideal place to spend a wonderful afternoon when you want to combine luxury, a perfect view and shopping in one place.

In the very center of Miraflores is Parque Kennedy, a lively city square that pulses 24 hours a day. During the day, here you will come across street artists, painters, local ice cream sellers, cats sleeping in the shade and tourists resting.

The evening brings a completely different rhythm: street musicians, salsa dancers, couples sitting on benches and sipping coca leaf tea. All kinds of bars, restaurants and cafes are lined up around the park, from local cevicherías to burger bars and Italian pizzerias. Kennedy Park is also known for its colony of over 60 cats that are fed and cared for by local volunteers. They have become a trademark of the park and favourite objects for photography.

When you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of a metropolis like Lima, Barranco is the ideal place for you. This neighborhood, located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, is known for its bohemian atmosphere, art scene and colonial architecture. Barranco is a place where history, culture and modern life meet, creating a unique atmosphere that enchants visitors.

1. Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs)

One of the most famous attractions in Barranco is the Puente de los Suspiros, a wooden pedestrian bridge built in 1876. Legend has it that if you make a wish and hold your breath while crossing the bridge, your wish will come true. The bridge has inspired many artists, including the famous Peruvian singer Chabuca Granda, who wrote the song “El Puente de los Suspiros” in its honor.

2. Bajada de los Baños

Below the bridge is the Bajada de los Baños, a scenic path that leads to the beach. This path used to be used by fishermen to go down to the sea, and today it is a popular place to walk, filled with cafes, restaurants and street artists. A walk along this path provides an insight into the daily life of Barranco and its artistic soul.

3. Art Galleries and Museums

Barranco is known for its rich art scene. MATE – Museo Mario Testino is a museum dedicated to the work of the famous Peruvian photographer Mario Testino, where you can see his most famous photographs, including portraits of Princess Diana. Also, the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (MAC) offers exhibitions of contemporary art from Latin America, providing an insight into the contemporary art trends of the region.

4. Street Art

Walking through the streets of Barranco, it’s hard not to notice the wealth of street art. The walls are decorated with colorful murals that reflect the creativity and social messages of local artists. This outdoor art makes Barranco a vibrant and dynamic place that inspires visitors.

Barranco is home to some of the best restaurants in Lima. Isolina is a restaurant that offers traditional Peruvian cuisine in a modern setting. Listed among the best restaurants in the world, Central offers innovative dishes that combine local ingredients with modern techniques. For sweets lovers, El Cacaotal offers a wide selection of Peruvian chocolate and the possibility of tasting. Nightlife in Barranco is lively and diverse. Ayahuasca Restobar, located in a colonial villa, offers cocktails inspired by Peruvian culture in a unique setting. Juanito de Barranco is a bar with a long tradition, known for its authentic pisco sour and friendly atmosphere.

For those who want to take a piece of Barranco with them, Dédalo Arte y Artesanía is the ideal place. This gallery and shop offers a wide variety of handicrafts, artwork and souvenirs made by local artists. Also, Neo Concept Store and Puna offer trendy clothing and accessories inspired by Peruvian culture.

Barranco is a place where tradition and modernity intertwine. La Ermita, an 18th-century church, bears witness to the neighborhood’s colonial past. Paseo Chabuca Granda, a promenade dedicated to the famous singer, provides space for artistic performances and local community gatherings.

Historical Gallery Bernardo O’Higgins, represents a true journey through the History of Latin America. Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme, was a key figure in the struggle for the independence of Latin America, especially Chile. As a military leader and politician, O’Higgins played a significant role in the liberation of Chile from Spanish rule and became the first supreme director of independent Chile. After his abdication in 1823, he went into exile in Peru, where he spent the last years of his life.

Located in the heart of the historic center of Lima, at Jirón de la Unión 554, Casa O’Higgins is a colonial building that served as the residence of Bernardo O’Higgins during his stay in Peru. This house is known today as the Gallery Historica Bernardo O’Higgins and is an important cultural and historical monument.

The building was built in the Spanish colonial style and is part of Peru’s cultural heritage. After the restoration, which was completed in 2008, Casa O’Higgins was opened to the public as a museum and cultural center under the administration of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.

Casa O’Higgins is an example of Spanish colonial architecture, with distinctive features such as an interior courtyard, wooden balconies and thick adobe brick walls. Over the years, the building has suffered damage from earthquakes and weather conditions, but has been carefully restored to preserve its historical value. The restoration included the restoration of the original architectural details and the adaptation of the space for museum needs, including the installation of modern air conditioning and lighting systems, in order to ensure optimal conditions for the preservation of exhibits.

The Historica Bernardo O’Higgins Gallery offers visitors an insight into the life and work of this important leader through various exhibitions and collections. The museum contains:

Multimedia presentations: Interactive screens and video materials that explain the context and significance of events from that period.

Personal items: Documents, letters and personal artefacts belonging to O’Higgins, providing insight into his private life and political activities.

Historical maps and documents: Showing the geopolitical changes in South America during the period of the struggle for independence.

Artwork: Portraits and artistic interpretations of O’Higgins and other key figures from the independence period.

The museum organizes various educational programs, including workshops, lectures and guided tours, aimed at students, researchers and the general public. These programs aim to deepen the understanding of historical events and the role of O’Higgins in them.

Also, the Historica Bernardo O’Higgins Gallery often hosts cultural events, such as contemporary art exhibitions, literary evenings and music concerts, further enriching Lima’s cultural scene.

If you are traveling to Lima for business, tourism or transit and are looking for an ideal place that combines luxury service, Swiss precision with Peruvian warmth, Swissôtel Lima could be just what you need. Located in the heart of San Isidro’s business and ambassadorial district, this five-star luxury hotel offers superior service, excellent facilities and a perfect location.

Not only is the Swissôtel Lima one of Peru’s most prestigious hotels, it is also often home to important international conferences, diplomatic meetings and luxury vacations. But what really makes this hotel special? Let me bring you some of the highlights of this spectacular hotel.

Swissôtel Lima is located in San Isidro, one of the most elite districts of Lima. This part of the city is known for its green boulevards, luxury buildings, embassies, fine restaurants and exclusive boutiques. The hotel is located right next to the Lima Golf Club, which provides a beautiful view from the rooms and an additional touch of prestige.

What are some of the many advantages of the Swissôtel Lima location itself? Here you can always expect a safe and elegant walking area, with many cafes and restaurants nearby. This luxury hotel is only a 10-minute drive from Miraflores and a 5-minute walk to the historic Huallamarca archeological site, and most importantly, it is easily accessible by airport shuttle (about 40 minutes from Jorge Chávez International Airport).

The Swissôtel Lima hotel has 345 modernly furnished rooms and suites, including Executive Club rooms, Deluxe rooms and exclusive Swiss Executive Suite suites. The decoration is minimalist, with carefully selected details in warm tones, comfortable furniture and large windows.

Room amenities:

• Work table with ergonomic chair,
• Fast Wi-Fi and interactive TV,
• Minibar and espresso machine,
• Spacious bathrooms with marble details,
• 24/7 room service.

Is it worth staying at the Swissôtel Lima hotel? If you are looking for comfort, safety, professionalism and an extra dose of luxury in Lima, my answer is absolutely yes. Whether you’re coming for business, a romantic getaway, or simply want to treat yourself to the ultimate experience, Swissôtel Lima is a hotel that does not disappoint.

The combination of world standard, local charm and exceptional service makes this hotel a true pearl in the heart of Lima. Whether you stay for one night or longer, chances are you’ll want to come back. It is important to note that special bonus services for Executive Club guests are available in a special lounge with breakfast, afternoon cocktails and a personal concierge. In the next blog post, I will devote myself to a detailed review of this exceptional hotel in Lima.

My dear travellers, we have come to the end of this special travelogue from Peru where we enjoyed the beauty of Lima in the series of travelogues from Peru where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this unusual country in South America. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), the Commission for Trade, Tourism and Investments of Peru (PROMPERU), the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru and the Swissotel Lima Hotel in cooperation with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of local culture and the beauty of daily life in Lima. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Peru.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to collaborate with many companies in the tourism sector and I would like to thank once again United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), the Commission for Trade, Tourism and Investments of Peru (PROMPERU), the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru and the Swissotel Lima Hotel for this incredible adventure and for allowing me to feel the beauty of this very unusual Peruvian culture in a different way and to feel the beauty of everyday life in Lima.

How did you like my story about Lima and the presentation of this city that represents the gateway to the Andes? Have you had the chance to visit Lima and beautiful Peru so far?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

With Love from Lima,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), the Commission for Trade, Tourism and Investments of Peru (PROMPERU), the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru, the Swissotel Lima Hotel and other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.